CYCLING & MOTOR NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13586, 7 May 1906, Page 8

CYCLING & MOTOR NOTES.

By Demon. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. W. E. R., Jnglewood.—The lmiko of motor cycle you refer to is of very inferior qualitv, and it would be easy to make a belter selection. To get the minimum amount of trouble the very best is required. A small, light four-wheeler has gome advantages over a tricar, suck IKS more eomiort, more sociability, and more stability, besides having two tracks, against the other's three. The tri- • car you refer to is far from perfect. -The following seem to bo about the best tricars made-viz., Riley, 8 and 0 h.p., Singer, C and 9 h.p., and Lsgomia, 30 to 12 h.p., the latter being air cooled, lou aro quite right in your-assumption that tv>o cylinders aggrogating the power of one cylinder would make the less noise, the individual explosions in • the case of the twin being less noisy than thoso from the single. The muffler has a greet deal to do with the matter oi noise, however. —'Sunday afternoon was an ideal day for cycling and motoring, the atmosphere being very _ dear and bracing. The 8 h.p. Rover, with Mr (leofl Clark at the wheel, made a run out as far ns the water trough loading into Waitati. and made short work of tlio Junction Hill, doing most of the hill. oil the second gear. A feature of this car is tho case of its steering, it answering to tho smallest touch of the steerin? wheel, and the way ,Mr Clark manipulales the car is a treat to witness. The beauties of Dunodin were much in evidence on Sunday, and (lie prospect from the top of the Junction Hill was indeed magnificent. Away to the south the Nugget? were just visible through the liazc, and glancing down on tho harbour the yachts could he seen drifting lazily homeward?, while looking inland tho smoky blue haze enveloping tie rar.ge of hills behind Wait-ati appeared singularly pretty. Added to this the exhilaration experienced by tho rush and throb of a motor car travelling through tho clear ail', and one's thoughts turned irresistibly to those lines of Browning's—

God's in His heaven: All's right with the world. "Demon"' is certain that for a day's pleasure jaunt, and to see the beauties of Nature, of yv hieh Dunedin is justifiably famed, a rido in a_ motor can hardly be equalled, ai.d certainly not excelled.

Mr Frank Young, of Melbourne, representing Moselcy tyres, is at present on a business trip to Dunedin. ''

—Mr Laidlaw, of Mcssro Imidlaw and Gray, has becoino the .possessor of an 8 h.p. Darracq.

— During the Easter holidays Mr R. Dunne rode fro.n Christchurch to Dunedin. Mr Dunne, acoMtipanied by Mr Warren, also left town on Saturday, with the intention of making the Waipon Falls, hut Sunday- morning's rain compelled them tokeep to tho harder-surfaced roads, and iliey eventually went to Milton and back.

— Air Metzger. of Invercartjill. is going in for 15 h.p. Darracq, and should get eiery satisfaction from his new purchase. —Dr Young, of Invorcargill, in, I imderstand, very pleased with the running ho is getting out of his 10 h.p. Do Dion. iMr Stone has purchased the 12 h.p. Do Dion lately in tho possession of Mr Patterson', of Gore.

_Mr Geoff. Clark has set bis heart on driving Messrs Cooke-Howliaon's 8' h.p. Rover car up the Junction Hill short cut. This roid is very steep and also narrow, and I do not think a car has yet been able to surmount the gradient. IfGeoff." succeeds in driving a car up this hill, it will be a feather in his cap, and also a thorough lest of the Rover car.

Mr T. fLtone, of Invorcargill, has five oars landing, of a. total value of over £2000. One is a 32 h.p. De Dion, one i 5 h.p. Darracq (two ignitions), two 8 h.n. Do Dions, and one 8 h.p. Darracq. Mr 'Stone has at present threo De Dions on hand for use on hire.

At the Kaiapoi cycle sports, on April 16. R. Arnst made two attempts to lower W. Martin's mile motor-paced rccord of lmin 46sec. In the first essay the motor did not generate. sufficient power, and he had to rido the last lap without being paced, covering the distance in lmin 49sec. In the second attempt, the pacing conditions wero more suitable, and Arnst succeeded in reducing the record by 1 I-ssec, completing the mile in lmin 44 4-ssoc.

Tho chief loss sustained by tho Now Zealand branch of the Dunlop Tyre Company as tho result of its r'ece<nt fire is through the consequent dislocation of btisiliow. Supplies before the conflagration had been short owing to a scarcity .in the raw rubber market, and now it is'thought it will ho impossible to fill all the orders that come in.

. A handicap rider who showed to considerable advantage at the Kaiapoi Cycling Club's meeting on Easter Monday (says "Rover" in tlx? Canterbury Times) was Lorimer, who hails from Dunedin, and who displayed good judgment and a'fine turn of speed. He should get a few wine next season.

—•— At present there is no attempt being mano to obtain uniformity in tho thousands of parts winch aro daily boin? turned art, and cars are bein* placed on the market in scores, perhaps hundreds, the only parts of which are made to standard being tho tyres, chains (if used), and sparking pluso. It will be readily agreed that the earlier standardisation ig introduced in tho progress of an industry (provided that industry lias attained a certain measure of perfection) the better for all concerned, and the benefits which would accrue to motorists therefrom in regard to parts are really inestimable.

A few nights' ago (says a Shanghai paper) £ motor ■ car was left standing in front of the club in cJiargo of a native chaunour, wnile tho' owner was attending to oomo business inside, The chauffeur, seeing a friend approaching, invited him to a 6pm in the "devil waggon," which offer was gladly acccpted. The outfit was soon speeding along the Bund, and an effort was mado to break all previous records, but when near a cor-ior the machine was brought to a sudden rtop V»y colliding with a big heap of stones, whicli the roadrepairers had left, and failed to put a light on. Tho machine was going so fast that it turned completely over, and tho gasolino catching fire, the car was soon nothing but a heap of- scrap iron. Tho chauffeur and lu's friend took their departure, and, it is said, havo not been seen sinco by the irate owner of tho car, who is now threatening to briug a suit against the council for tho loss of the car, as there were no lights shown at the scene of the acciricnfr.

j n a rooenfc Interview regarding' his fast rido on iho Florida Sands, Marriott, who drove a stcam-car at the rate of 127 miks per hour, said:—"The pressure of the air bothered me most. It fairly tore illy face, and my eyc6 felt as if lliey were melting, even under rny windglasses. I gripped the steering-wheel like the last thread of life, crouched so tha.t nothing, except my goggles, was above tho top of the car, and then kept that position until I thought it was over. I didn't see the finish, or licar tho crack of the pistol. I couldn't tee anything, in fact, and tho only thought that kept passingthrough my mind was to hold tight to the steering-wheel, so that the car would not swerve."

A series of interesting experiments wero. recently carried out by Dr Watson, of London, with tho object of solving the vexed question as to whether the engine can be usefully employed as an additional lirake. The results showed conclusively that the braking effect is very considerable, reaching under the most favourable conditions to as high a point as 65 per cent, of tlio power the engine is capable of giving at the dutch. The high percentago of braking power was obtained by opening the throttle and causing the exhaust valve to open on what would lie the firing stroke if tho ignition was switched on. In view of the interest evinced lately' in the correspondence columns of the London motor press on this question, it is most satisfactory to have at last some ; rcliablo data upon which an opinion can be based.

News comes from France that a firm lias improved the accumulators to such a degree that two electric cars ran 120 miles at top speed without bavins to lie recharged. Furthermore, the recharging oonsisted merely of opening a box and replacing the exhausted accumulators with a set of fresh ones, which can be either carried in the ear itself or sent on by rail, if it is more convenient, Tho advantages claimed for tho olectrie car are that, oncc it gets going, it nover breaks down; and that it is cleaner, smells sweeter, and, best of all, is noiseless.

of motor car design in the direction of extended wheel bases, together with latter-day improvements in tyres and the introduction of spccial antiskid bands and treads, has (says London Sportsman) to a large extent eliminated tho tendency of cars to side-slip and get out of control on greasy roads, and a moderately skilful driver should find no difficulty in manipulating an up-to-date car over grease. As an asphalt-paved road is drying after rain its surface for a time becomes more treacherous than ice, and walking is difficult enough for pedestrians, while horses are qi'.ite unable to maintain sure footing. Formerly this state of affairs would have resulted in equal difficulty to a motor car, but nowadays they are able to travel over such had stretches with little diminution of spoctl jnul show

hardly any tendency to side-slip. There is, of course, a good deal depending on the driver in such circumstance, but tho reasons already mentioned are the prime factors in securing the ca;'s steadiness. — Tho annual reliability trial of the c South Australian Automobile Club took i place oil Good Friday and Saturday, over - u. circuitous course from Adelaide to Victor j Harbour and return, a distaneo of 243 t miles. Tho roads were good, and the won- - ther favourable, and the test successful in , that six cars scored the possible points— 1 1020, while those that reached 590 points ■ or over will be awarded certificates. Tho B successful cars were:—Class A— Dr Carr's ? 6 h.p. Wolselcy, 1020; R. A. Duncan's ' 7 h.p. Oldsmobilo, 1000; Class C—Dr Reissr ma mi's 10 h.p. Do Dion, 1010; V. Lewis's 1 10-12 h.p. Talbot, 1010; T. A. Chandler's a " 10 h.p. Do Dion, 1000. Class D—A. E. J Ayers's 14-16 h.p. Talbot.' 1020. The fol- , lowing were awarded certificates;— Drßciss- , man's 6 ii.'.i. De Dion, cla*s A, 8975; and Dr Crank's 8 h.p. De Dion. ?97. Franco has refused to organiso a. race ill that country this year for the Van- . derbilt Cup, which was won over the Long , Island (U.S.A.) course last year by Memory on His Darracq. The American Automobile [ Club is, therefore, making arrangements | for llie third annual race for tho trophy to t-ako place once more in America," and | is hopeful, of finding a faster couise than ! the Long Island circuit provides. ! TIIE EVOLUTION OF THE HORSELESS CARRIAGE. . A most interesting paper was recently , read before tho Society of Arts, London, , by Mr Claude Johnson on "Tho Horseless Carriage from 1885 to 1905," whicli period covers the history of what may bo called the "petrol" movement. Mr Johnson, as one of tho pioneers of motoring in England, was enabled to givo a personal character to many of tho incidents related —humorous and otherwise-which happened to tho hardy motorist of 10 years ago engaged in the task of enlightening national ignorance in regard to comfortablo and speedy travelling on tho highway. Tho rapid development of infttor cars from the crude vehicles invented in Germany and Franco during these earlier years was well illustrated by a very complete set of photos, particularly noticeable being the marked improvements which followed tho institution of road races, thus proving their groat value as a practical test of constructional methods, and without which it is evident tho industry could not so quickly have arrived at. its present •flourishing position. Altogether tho lecture was most interesting and instructive; it was followed by a slight discussion, tho most noticeablo speaker being Sir John MaeDonald, who, in tho course of his remarks, made tho excellent suggestion that before the early motor vehicles constructed in England are lost sight of altogether, or relegated t-o tho scrap heap, they should bo secured by the Government and placed in ono of tho national museums. HOW THE AUTO. WILL HELP TO UPLIFT . HUMANITY. Winthrop E. Scarritt, former president of the Automobile Club of America, in outlining some of tile, changes that would bo brought about by the modern motor car, and some of the tilings that it would accomplish in tho uplifting of humanity, gives tho following:—First: It will freo tho horse from tho burden of drudgery. Seoond: It is the key to the problem of over-congested traffic in our city streets. Not only will the spaco now occupied by horses bo saved, and the streets made sanitary, but the motor truck would draw tho load in half tho time, thus more than doubling tho width of the streets. Third; Tho motor car is to furnish relief to the tenement house district. Through standardisation, ears will be built cheaply and within tho reach of working men. Tho lattor may then live, in the country under sanitary conditions amid tho trees, flowers, and tho birds. Fourth: It will stimulate tho good roads movement everywhere. Fifth: It will, in a large measure, annihilate time and space: It will become invaluable to the physician, to the fireman, and to every class to whom it is important to travel fast. THE 24 HOURS' BICYCLE RECORD. Further particulars are to hand from Paris oi ono of the most remarkable feats yet established in tho history of cycling. A three-cornered 24 hours' match was hold in April between Umilo Bonhours (one of tho leading French pace followers), A. Vanderstuyft (a young Belgian, who carried off the 80l d'Or 24 IWurs' Race held in Paris lac-t year), and Henri Contenet (holder of several world's records). Tho match was hold on tho Velodrome d'Hivor, Paris, motor pacing bcinjr permitted. For seven years tile wondorful ride of A. E. Walters (Enjrland), who covered 634 miles 674 yards behind human pace in tiie 80l d'Or Raco in 1899, has stood unaltered, and despite the big improvement in cycles and pacing, the record was considered a sot one that would probably stand for all time. By tho aid of huge powered motorpacing machines tho record has fallen, and new figures established that are wellnigh beyond bcli.ef. From pistol fire tho threo cracks thundered round the track as if the rido was an hour's record attempt. At the end of 60 minutes Contenet led, his tally being 46 miles 1703 yards. The paco still increased, and Contenet got amongst world's reoords just alter the second hour, and continued in the lead up to the end of six hours, when the astounding distance of 248 miles 661 yards had been covered—equal to an average speed of 41 miles an hour. Bonhours was now about a mile behind, with Vanderstuyft some seven miles further in the roar. AH three riders appeared to lie wonderfully fresh and riding strong. Bonhours now decidcd to tako a hand in setting the running, and calling for more paco soon overhauled Contenet, and held a fair lead at the end of the seventh hour. Continuing to ride in fine shape, Bonhours gradually increased his lead, and ultimately finished the 24 hours' run with the almost incredible tally of 815 miles 482 yards to his credit. This record averages out nearly 34 miles an hour for tho full distance—a wonderful achievement. Vanderstuyft finished second, his score being 786 miles, some 29 miles behind the winner. Contenet also finished, covering 773 miles. All three riders established wonderful performances,- and the ride is indeed one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of cycling. The world's motor record for the same time is 1904 miles, accomplished last November on an American trotting track by a 35-40 h.p. car. THE COST OF MOTOR CARS. There is often talk about, tho proportion of "wages" in a car in proportion to its cost, and I havo never yet seen a satisfactory analysis (says 11. 11. Griffin in Public Opinion). Tho wage-worker and ( salary-earner get far More than the mere faoe value represents, and the canstituent elements which go to make up tho car arc so diverse and tome, from so many quarters that it would bo difficult—impossible. in fact—to arrivo at a satisfactory conclusion. Take a £1000 car; what were the raw materials worth? The iron ore, tho wood, the skin of sheep, calf, otc., and other upholstery, the crude rubber, etc.—but the subject, is far too big for a mere paragraph—it wants an article of several columns to trace the number of hands each part has to pass through. Starting at the bedrock, barring perhaps the rubber, worth, maybe, as much as all the rest put together, a £10 would buy tho lot. How many trades participate in the various items, each employing labour? The working- of tho steel by machinery into engine and parts and by assembly into the complete car are only the final stages in which so many havo shared, including papermakcrs, newspaper (advertisement) printers, type-founders, tanners, timber importers, glass-makers, and merchants. All of these—and many, many more—have a "share" before tho last sceno of all and tho car is ready for the saleroom, and the actual manufacturer can begin to reckon on how much of all this is to bo his bumble share. Think of all this and tho scores of trades that get a first pull, and you will not think prices so high, or that ; every motor-maker is making a fortune.